--- title: The Answer to Diabetic Leg Pain (Neuropathy) description: Often medication side effects are worse than the symptoms they are treating. Learn the research-based role of nutrient deficiency in neuropathy. image: http://www.helpmychronicpain.com/hs-fs/hub/67234/file-2010815070-jpg/images/diabetic_neuropathy_feet.jpg --- [![Dr Karl Johnson Logo Header](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/hs-fs/file-1517915219-png/images/logo.png "Dr Karl Johnson Logo Header")](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com) [![contact-img](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/hs-fs/file-1517915214-png/images/contact-img.png)](http://helpmychronicpain.com/) ## Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson's Chronic Condition Natural Treatment Blog *Intentional musings of a unique Shelby Township Michigan Chiropractic Physician dedicated to helping people find solutions to improving their health by rooting out causes to chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, thyroid disorder symptoms, balance disorders, migraines, sciatica, ADD/ADHD/ASD, back pain, peripheral neuropathy, gluten sensitivity and autoimmune disorders so they can Reclaim Their Life!* # From the Desk of Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC..... ## [The Answer to Diabetic Leg Pain (Neuropathy)](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/the-answer-to-diabetic-leg-pain-neuropathy) Posted by [Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson, DC](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/author/dr-karl-ros-johnson-dc) on Thu, Apr 09, 2015 Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/ShelbyChronicConditionDoctor) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dr-karl-r-o-s-johnson-dc/26/676/422) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/WellnessChiroMI) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) --- One of the complications of diabetes is [peripheral neuropathy](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/peripheral-neuropathy-challenges-and-treatment). Peripheral neuropathy is a result of nerve damage which often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in your hands and feet. People generally describe the pain of [peripheral neuropathy](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/breakthroughs-in-peripheral-neuropathy-video-registration) as tingling or burning as well as a loss of sensation compared to a feeling of wearing a thin stocking or glove. Peripheral neuropathy is a serious disease of blood vessels that supply the nerves as well as the nerves themselves The most common drug prescribed for people suffering with diabetic related leg pain is Lyrica®. But it comes with a huge price. To be quite honest I have to wonder how this drug was ever approved. One look at the PDR will get you wondering to. [![The Answer to Diabetic Leg Pain (Neuropathy)](http://www.helpmychronicpain.com/hs-fs/hub/67234/file-2010815070-jpg/images/diabetic_neuropathy_feet.jpg?width=414&name=diabetic_neuropathy_feet.jpg "The Answer to Diabetic Leg Pain (Neuropathy)")](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/peripheral-neuropathy-challenges-and-treatment) Here is a punch-list of some of the recorded side effects of Lyrica: - Has an unexpectedly high incidence of hemangio-sarcoma (which is a cancer of blood vessels). - It raises your creatinine kinase (leads to kidney disease) - Lowers your platelet count - Causes changes in the EKG that can lead to heart block - Causes weight gain Causes swelling of the ankles - Can cause life-threatening angioedema (swelling of the throat and face inhibiting breathing). - Causes retinal atrophy as well as corneal inflammation and calcification. (meaning you can go blind from it as it progresses to macular degeneration) Can you believe that many of the above side effects are things that the diabetic patient is trying to avoid? This drug just speeds up the likelihood that you will get the side effects a lot sooner. To make matters worse any improvement the diabetic patient gets is short-lived and will commonly wear off after one year. I simply don't understand why the public is not be told about proven solutions provided by thousands of dedicated and respected researchers around the globe. > I simply don't understand why the public is not be told about proven solutions provided by thousands of dedicated and respected researchers around the globe. Yes, the research is overflowing with real non-drug answers to peripheral neuropathy. And the best part is most if not all of these solutions are free of side effects. Seldom will you hear about physicians specializing in diabetes seeking to identify the underlying cause of this disease. In the thousands of medical records I have reviewed from patients suffering from diabetes rarely, if ever, have I seen any note of looking for the cause. Just one look at the medical references below should be quite convincing for nutrients that have actually reversed diabetic neuropathy such as acetyl-L-carnitine, lipoic acid, vitamin E, etc.. Considering these medical studies are from the very journals of diabetic specialists, I have to wonder why a physician would prescribe Lyrica® when they have not first measured and corrected something as simple as ALC (acetyl-L-carnitine) for nerve regeneration? As shown below there is an abundant amount of evidence showing the power of doing a thorough investigation for nutrient deficiencies and diabetic neuropathy. Sometimes the answer could also be as simple as fixing a vitamin B1 or B6 deficiency depending on what need repletion for a particular patient. [![Three Keys To Defeating Peripheral Neuropathy Video](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/67234/a62b2a49-7690-48ee-a295-09e69872b080.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/67234/a62b2a49-7690-48ee-a295-09e69872b080) --- For more details about the natural approach I take with my patients, take a look a the book I wrote entitled: [Reclaim Your Life; Your Guide To Revealing Your Body's Life-Changing Secrets For Renewed Health](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/reclaim-your-life/). It is available in my office or at [Amazon](http://amzn.to/TmPgZW) and many other book outlets. If you found value in this article, **please use the social sharing icons at the top of this post and please share with those you know** who are still suffering with cognitive issues or other chronic health challenges, despite receiving medical management. Help me reach more people so they may regain their zest for living! Thank you! ## ALL THE BEST – DR. KARL R.O.S. JOHNSON, DC – DIGGING DEEPER TO FIND SOLUTIONS Article compliments of [Functional Medicine University](http://www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com/) **References:** *Sima AA, et al, Acetyl-L-Carnitine Study Group, Acetyl-L-carnitine improves pain, nerve regeneration, and vibratory perception in patients with chronic diabetic neuropathy: an analysis of two randomized placebo-controlled trials, Diabetes Care 28; 1:89-94, Jan 2005 *Quatraro A, et al, Acetyl L-carnitine for symptomatic diabetic neuropathy, Diabetologia 38:123, 1995 *Scarpini E, et al, Effect of acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathy is in HIV-positive patients, J Peripher Nern Syst 2: 250-2, 1997 *Zeigler D, et al, Alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of diabetic peripheral and cardiac autonomic neuropathy, Diabetes 46 suppl. 2: s 62-6, 1997 *Nakamura J, et al, Polyol pathway hyperactivity is closely related to carnitine deficiency in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 287:897-902, 1998 *Tutuncu NB, et al, Reversal of defective nerve condition with vitamin E supplementation in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 21:1915-18, 1998 *Fedele D, et al, Peripheral diabetic neuropathy. Current recommendations and future prospects for its prevention and management, Drugs 54:414-21. 1997 *Ido Y, et al, Neural dysfunction and metabolic imbalances in diabetic rats. Prevention by acetyl-L-carnitine. Diabetes 43:1469-77, 1994 *Onofrij M, et al, Acetyl-L-carnitine as a new therapeutic approach for peripheral neuropathies with pain, Mt J Clin Pharmacol Res 15:9-15, 1995 *Lowitt S, et al, Acetyl-L-carnitine corrects the altered peripheral nerve function of experimental diabetes, Metab 44:677-80, 1995 *DeGrandis D, et al, Acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. A long-term randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, Drugs R D, 3: 223-31, 2002 *Abbas ZG, et al, Evaluation of the efficacy of thiamine and pyridoxine in the treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy, East African Med J, 74:803-8, 1997 *Koutsikos D, et al, Biotin for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Biotin may also reduce pain, Rimed Pharmacother 44:511-4, 1990   Topics: [Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson DC](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/topic/dr-karl-ros-johnson-dc), [Neuropathy](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/topic/neuropathy), [Diabetic Neuropathy](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/topic/diabetic-neuropathy), [Vitamin Deficiency,](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/blog/topic/vitamin-deficiency) ### STAY INFORMED - Sign Up For Dr. Johnson's Blog Updates Search This Blog Search Google [![I Could Use Some Help With My Health](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/67234/18beb174-b53e-4a4d-8018-f3bb7049a9e7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/67234/18beb174-b53e-4a4d-8018-f3bb7049a9e7) ### Call Dr. Johnson #### 586-731-8840 ### Follow Me ### Latests Posts ### Most Popular Posts [![Reclaim Your Life Book 3D Reflect](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/67234/9f6ed339-86f2-4e81-afff-effda60643ed.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/67234/9f6ed339-86f2-4e81-afff-effda60643ed) [Event registration](http://www.eventbrite.com/r/ecal) powered by [Eventbrite](http://www.eventbrite.com?ref=ecal) - [Home](https://www.helpmychronicpain.com/) - [About Dr. Karl R.O.S. 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Conventional chiropractic and neurometabolic services are completely separate services and each is provided in strict compliance with the rules and regulations set forth by the separate agencies. If you wish to receive natural health services you must first sign a Client Services Agreement.